Self biasing roller skate

ABSTRACT

An adjustable length skate, preferably plastic, is provided having an improved construction for biasing those sections of the skate which grip the shoe of the wearer. The skate is a two piece platform, each platform being mounted on an axle-wheel assembly. The platforms are adjustable longitudinally with respect to one another and can accommodate a plurality of wearer shoe sizes. The forward and rearward platforms also are biased with respect to one another. Biasing permits the skate to grip the shoe after insertion into the skate structure.

United States Patent 1191 Taylor Dec. 25, 1973 SELF BIASING ROLLER SKATE Primary Examinerl(enneth l-l. Betts [75] Inventor: Beverly W. Taylor, Hermann Mo Assistant Examiner David Mitchell Attorney-Philip B. Polster et al. [73] Assignee: Steven Manufacturing Co.,

Hermann, Mo. 57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Sept 1971 An adjustable length skate, preferably plastic, is pro- [21 L 183 790 vided having an improved construction for biasing those sections of the skate which grip the shoe of the wearer. The skate is a two piece platform, each plat- [52] US. Cl. 280/11.26 form being mounted on an axle wheel assembly The [51] [1112. C1. A63C 17/02 platforms are adjustable longitudinally with respect to [58] Flew of Search 1, 6 141,1 one another and can accommodate a plurality of wearer shoe sizes. The forward and rearward plat- [56] References cued forms also are biased with respect to one another. Bi-

UNITED STATES PATENTS asing permits the skate to grip the shoe after insertion 3,309,098 3/1967 Parker 280/11.26 into the S te Stl'UCtl-llfi- 3,202,435 8 1965 Goodman 280 11.26 3,202,434 siwes Goodman 280! 1.26 13 Chums 20 Drawmg Figures 1,934,535 11/1933 Hast 280/11.26

' PMENTED DEC 25 I915 SHEET 10F 5 FIG.

4\ flaw INVE NTORI BEVERLY W. TAYLOR sum 2 OF 5 PATENH-jnnu: 25 I975 INVENTORI BEVERLY W. TAYLOR FIG.4

PAIENIEUBECQS 1975 3.781; 027 SHEET 30F 5 liii ljlg INVENTORI BEVERLY w. TAYLOR BY: M

VATFNTEU DEC 25 I975 SHEET &0? 5

FIG. 8.

INVENTOR BEVERLY w. TAYLOR 36 [has F 16. I2.

F'MENTED DEC 2 51975 SWEET 5 BF 5 FIG! FIG- l4.

20 INVENTORI BEVERLY W. TAYLOR SELF BIASING ROLLER SKATE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to roller skate construction, and in particular, to a novel, self biasing skate design. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize the wide applicability to other foot wear and sports equipment where size adjustment and self biasing mechanisms are important.

Adjustable, self biasing roller skates are well known in the art. For example, the US. Pats. to Goodman, No. 3,202,434 and No. 3,202,435, exemplify successful applications of adjustable length, biased skates. While the Goodman patents in particular, and the prior art in general, work fortheir intended purposes, they may be characterized as exemplifying complicated construction in the roller skate art. Thus, the Goodman patents disclose what may be termed a three piece apparatus. That is, the beam structure disclosed is adjustable to provide a plurality of longitudinal lengths while the toe piece is slidably mounted on one of the beams to provide a bias toe piece. While the design disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,202,434 is excellent in applications where the skates are constructed from metal, the transposition of the design principals as disclosed therein and in the related Goodman US. Pat. No. 3,202,435, proved less than ideal when a truly low cost skate design is desired.

My invention permits the manufacture of a simplified, low cost skate. The biasing function is accomplished through the utilization of a novel mechanism which also functions to adjust longitudinal length of the forward and rearward portion of a two part skate design. Consequently, the entire forward and rearward portions of the skate are biased with respect to one another, and skate construction is simplified greatly.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a low cost roller skate design.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable length skate.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable length skate with self biasing capabilities.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a simplified skate design particularly suitable for plastic construction.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the following description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, generally stated, an ajdustable length skate is provided with self biasing properties.

The preferred embodiment is a plastic design having a forward and a rearward platform. Each platform includes an integrally constructed beam structure. The two'beams are telescopically mounted, one within the other. The outer beam of the telescopic combination has latch means attached to it. The inner beam of the telescopic combination carries a slidably mounted sizing means in it which interacts with the latching means to provide a plurality of selectable longitudinal widths for the beam combination. The sizing means also is spring loaded. It is mounted in a channel and is movable under the spring bias between two predetermined positions. With the latch and sizing means interconnected, the platforms are biased toward each other in any selected longitudinal beam length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of one illustrative embodiment of skate of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation of the skate shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of the skate shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the skate shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the skate shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5, simplified to show only the rearward platform illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the sizing means used in conjunction with the skate of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a view in side elevation of the sizing means illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line l0l0 of FIG. 5, simplified to show only the forward platform of the skate illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the latching means used in conjunction with the skate of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a view in side elevation of the latching means illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view in front elevation of the toe piece illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a view taken along the line l4l4 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the heel piece shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a view in side elevation taken along the line l6-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a view-in side elevation of a wheel utilized in the skate ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line l8-l8 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a view in end'elevation of the axle end piece used in conjunction with the wheel of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along the line 20-20 of FIG. 19.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates one illustrative embodiment of skate of this invention. Skate 1 includes a forward platform 2 and a rearward platform 3.

Forward platform 2 has a toe piece 4 attached to it. The platform 2 is mounted on a front axle assembly 5.

Rear platform 3 has a heel guard 74 attached to it, and is mounted on a back axle assembly 7.

Forward platform 2 includes a continouus undulating side wall 8 at the perimeter of the platform 2, along three sides corresponding to the outward facing edges of an essentially flat surface 9, and is integrally formed with but spaced from the surface 9 along that portion of side wall 8 which appears to depend from the surface 9 in FIG. 3. Use of side wall8 enables the skate of this invention to have a highly stylized appearance.

As is best seen in FIGS. 5 and 10, surface 9 has an opening 10 and an opening 11 through it. The openings 10 and Ilare utilized to observe the positioning and biasing structure and function described hereinafter.-

A wall 12 forms the trailing edge of platform 2, and

extends vertically downwardly from the surface 9,

along each side of a downwardly extending, integrally formed beam structure 13. Beam structure 13 has a pair of essentially solid vertical walls 14 and 15 and a bottom 16. A first end 38 of beam structure 13 extends beyond the wall 12; while a second end 39 stops short of side 8. As is best seen in FIG. 10, bottom 16 is interrup ted by openings 17 and 18. A first part of bottom 16, that is, that part of bottom 16 nearest the end 38, has a pair of tabs 19 extending downwardly therefrom. A second portion of bottom 16 has a mounting part 20 formed integrally with and extending downwardly from Front axle assembly 5 includes forward portion 21 of beam structure 13, which forms a hollow, V-shaped section 22. Section 22 is coextensive with and formed from the vertical walls 14 and 15 of beam structure 13 and the V-shaped portion extends downwardly below bottom 16,. An opening 23 extends from and through the V-shaped section 22 and is utilized to receive an axle shaft 24. Shaft 24 is conventional and in the embodiment illustrated comprises a cylindrical section of steel or similar metal. The section 22 has an opening 25 through it, which corresponds to end 39 of beam structure 13. Opening 25 is important in the operation of the adjustment mechanism of the skate described hereinafter.

The side 8 has a plurality of openings 26 from and through it, which are used to mount the toe piece 4.

Toe piece 4 is a semicylindrical section having an arcuate outer wall 42 and an inner wall 27. The walls 42 and 27, in the embodiment illustrated, are provided with decorative cut-outs 28. Other embodiments may varythe shape, size or design of cut-outs 28, or may eliminate them in the toe piece design. Attaching prongs 43 extend from the walls 42 and 27 and are intended to be inserted in the openings 26 along the side 8. The toe piece 4 may be attached to the forward platform 2 by any convenient method. An epoxy glue or similar substance works well.

The forward platform 2 also carries a latching assembly 29, illustrated in FIG. 11, along the bottom 16 of the beam structure 13. A latching assembly 29 generally is rectangular and has a pair of openings 30 in it, near a first end 31, and a third opening 32 in it, near an end 33. End 33 is formed to provide a finger grip 34, as the end 33 is bent away from the plane of assembly 29. A post 35 extends from latching assembly 29 and is fixed perpendicularly thereto between the opening 32 and the finger grip 34, on a side 36 opposite the side toward which end 33 is bent to form finger grip 34. The opening pair 30 is designed to accept the tab pair 19 in a loose, friction fit. Tab pair 19 thereafter is coined over to fix the latching assembly 29 to the bottom 16. The opening 32 is designed to accept the mounting part 20 in a loose, friction tit and the mounting part 20 is coined over after placement of latching assembly 29. The axial length of mounting part 20 is such that latching assembly 29 attachment at tab pair 19 resembles a cantilever. That is, latching assembly 29 moves cantilever fashion about tab pair 19, mounting part 20 merely preventing excessive movement. When latching assembly 19 is so placed, the post 35 extends upwardly through an opening 37 in bottom 16, near the mounting part 20, into the interior volume defined by beam structure 13. When positioned as described, latching assembly 29 is free to reciprocate the post 35 within the area enclosed by beam structure 13, through the opening 37, in response to pressure applied along finger grip 37.

The rear platform 3 includes an essentially flat surface 50 bounded on three sides by an undulating side wall structure 51. A fourth side 52 forms a leading edge for the surface 50 and extends vertically downwardly for it, along each side of beam structure 53. As is best seen in FIG. 1, the walls 51 and 8 present a visually continuous pattern when the forward platform 2 and rearward platform 3 are joined as illustrated.

The beam structure 53 extends vertically downwardly from surface 50 and is formed integrally with it. Beam structure 53 includes a first side 54, a second side 55 parallel with side 54 but spaced from it, an interrupted top 56, and an interrupted bottom 57. The beam structure 53 extends lengthwise beyond side 52. Each side 54 and 55 also is spaced from the side 52 at the point where beam structure 53 passes beneath the surface 50. Such spacing is necessary for passage of beam structure 13 in the telescopic operation of the beam structure 53 and 13 later described in detail.

Bottom 57 comprises a pair of strut members 58 running between the sides 54 and 55. Stubs 59 are perpendicular to and attached along the side 54. Side 55 likewise includes a plurality of stubs 59 which are attached to it but not illustrated, the total structure being a mirror image of the sectional view shown in FIG. 7. Brackets 60 are fixed to wall 54 above and laterally displaced from the stubs 59. The side'55 has similar brackets attached to it. The bracket and stub combination form an open top and bottom channel 61 which is designed to receive a sizing means 62. If desired, one of the stubs 59 may be provided with a stop 63. The stop 63 coacts with sizing means 62 to delimit the end of longitudinal travel in one direction along the channel 61, as is explained in detail hereinafter. The particular location of stop 63 is illustrative only, those skilled in the art recognizing that stop 63, or its functional equivalent, can be positioned elsewhere along the beam structure 53, for example.

Back axle assembly 5 includes rear portion 64 of beam structure 53 which forms a hollow, V-shaped section 65. V-shaped section 65 is similar in construction to shape 22 of forward platform 2. Section 65 includes a pair of parallel side walls 66, only one of which is illustrated in FIG. 7, a front wall 67 and a back wall 68. Parallel walls 66 have an opening 69 from and through them, near the vertex of their V-shape. Opening 69 has an axle 70 frictionally fitted in it. Axle 70 is similar in construction to shaft 24.

Wall 68 has a mounting block 71 integrally formed "with it. Block 71 rises vertically from the wall 68, to a height approximately equivalent to channel 61. Block 71 is utilized to hold a spring 72, the purpose of which is described in detail hereinafter.

Side wall structure 51 has a pair of openings 73, only one of which is illustrated in FIG. 7, designed to receive a heel guard 74. Guard 74 is U-shaped in plan, and includes a front 75 and a back 76 separated by the thickness of the material utilized in its construction. An attaching part 77 is formed on each end of the open U- shape, as best illustrated in FIG. 16. Attaching part 77 is inserted in the opening 73 to mount heel guard 74 to the rearward platform 3. Epoxy or similar adhesive may be utilized in fixing part 74 to platform 3.

Sizing means 62 is essentially rectangular structure having an upper side 78 and a lower side 79. While the material thickness between side 78 and 79 is not critical, it must be sufficient to prevent deformation or breakage over an extended period of use and this thickness defines, for the purposes of this specification, an edge 83 and an edge 45. A rectangular post 80 extends downwardly from the side 79 and is formed integrally with sizing means 62. A stump 81 also is formed integrally and extends upwardly from upper side 78 of sizing means 62. One end of the spring 71 is attached to stump 81. The other end of the spring 72 is attached to mounting block 71. The spring 72 is conventional. It normally is unbiased in the closed position of the platforms 2 and 3 illustrated in the drawings. Sides 78 and 79 have a plurality of openings 82 from and through them. The openings 82 correspond to various shoe sizes through which the skate of this invention may be extended. The openings 82 are sized to accept the post 35 of latching means 29 in a loose, friction fit. Sizing means 62 is carried within the beam structure 53, and in particular, within the channel 61.

The edge 83 of sizing means 62 has a notch 84 in it. The notch 84 is designed to engage stop 63 in one direction of travel within the channel 61. The post 80 is utilized to restrict the second direction of travel of sizing means 62, as post 80 strikes an edge 85 of the strut member pair 58 as sizing means 62 is moved toward the rearward surface 50. The open top and bottom channel 61 thus provides an avenue for free sliding fit of the sizing means 62 except as restricted by the post 80-edge 85, notch 84-stop 63 action. Stop 63 is particularly suitable when the skate of this invention is constructed from plastic. Plastic is sufficiently resilient to enable the edge 83 to be pushd past stop 63 until the area of notch 84 reaches the stop. Thereafter, edge 83 expands slightly and sizing means 62 is prevented from passing the stop 63 under normal conditions. However, the sizing means 62 may be removed from the channel 62 by exerting extra pressure on the sizing means, until the edge 83 again compresses sufficiently to permit sizing means removal.

As previously described, axle 70 and shaft 24 are identical, and are utilized to mount a wheel 86. In the embodiment illustrated, four wheels are used, one at each end of the axle 70 and shaft 24. The particular design illustrated utilizes forward wheels having different diameters from the rearward wheels. in this embodiment, the distances from the undersides of surfaces 9 and 50 to the lower ends of the V-shaped sections 22 and 65, respectively, are constructed to provide an even, horizontal plane along the forward platform 2 and rearward platform 3 when different diameter wheels are used.

Other embodiments may alter this arrangement within the scope of the appended claims. Except for their diametric differences, each wheel 86 is identical, and only a single wheel is discussed in detail. Wheel 86, includes a hollow cylindrical section 87 with a hub 49 having an axial opening 88 therethrough. The cylindrical section 87 is formed by two donut shaped plastic structures 89 and 90 which in turn are heat sealed along the circumference of wheel 86 along a sealing line generally indicated at 91. Opening 88 is designed to receive a bearing fitting 92.

Bearing fitting 92 includes a cylindrical section 93 having an axial opening 94 therethrough. Opening 94 is closed at an end 95 by a radially extending flange 96. Flange 96 extends radially outwardlyand is designed to abut the wheel 86 along the shape 89. Section 93 has a longitudinal length slightly greater than that of the opening 88 in the wheel 86. The opening 94 is designed to receive an end of the shaft 24 or axle in a tight, friction fit. In use, the shaft or axle is inserted through its respective V-shape. Section 93 is placed through opening 88 and the end of shaft 24, for example, is inserted into the opening 94 along the length of the section 93. Placement of the second wheel 86 and bearing fitting 92 on the other end of the shaft locks the shaft in place and provides a relatively low friction area for rotation of the wheels 86., along the wall of the cylindrical section 93.

The construction of the skate of this invention is particularly simple and low cost. All major components, in the embodiment illustrated, with the exception of the shaft 24 and axle 70 are constructed from molded plastic. Latch assembly 29 is placed over tab pair 19, and the tab pair is coined over to fix the latch assembly to the forward platform 2. When 50 positioned, post 35 extends through opening 37 into the beam structure 13.

Sizing means 62 is inserted within the channel 61. As described previously, sizing means 62 is removably mounted within the channel 61, and is free to move along the channel 61 between two, predetermined positions. Spring 72 is placed between mounting block 71 and stump 81. Both the mounting block and stump may be coined over in order to secure spring 72 between those members. With the attachment of spring 72, sizing means 62 becomes spring biased. That is, the spring 72 tends to draw the sizing means 62 toward the rearward platform 3. The beam structure 53 thereafter is inserted into the beam structure 13. The rearward platform 3 is maneuvered during the insertion process in order to permit an edge 97 of the top 56 to clear a bracket 40 of beam structure 13. Bracket 40 is perpendicular to surface 9 and extends downwardly therefrom, as is illustrated in FIG. 10. After intermounting of the beam structures 13 and 53, the bracket 40 prevents their accidental separation by acting against an edge 47 of the top 56.

The closed or smallest skate position is illustrated in the drawings. As shown in the various Figures, in the closed skate position, edge 97 of beam structure 53 extends through opening 25 in beam structure 13, and an edge 41 of beam structure 1.3 abuts front wall 67 of the V-shaped section 65, giving the skate of this invention the appearance of a one piece design.

In use, a particular shoe size is chosen by observing the openings 82 through surface 9, along the openings 10 and 11 of that surface. Post 35 is lowered through the opening 37 and the platforms 2 and 3 are maneuvered until the particular shoe size is obtained. After release of finger grip 34, the post 35 will spring through the opening 37 and the opening 82 of sizing means 62, locking the rearward and forward platforms together at the particular extension of the beams 13 and 53 corresponding to the opening 82 chosen. The sizing means 62, however, is still free to move along the channels 61 between the positions defined by the notch 84-stop 63 barrier and the post -strut 58 barrier. That is, the

platforms 2 and 3 may be separated for that distance. Such movement automatically biases the forward platform toward the rearward platform, as the spring 72 always tends to pull sizing means 62 toward the mounting block 71. The intended user, therefore, sizes the skate of this invention to correspond roughly with his shoe size.

Thereafter, the toe is inserted between the toe piece 4 and surface 9, and by holding the rearward platform 3 while exerting pressure against the toe piece, the user may separate the rearward and forward platforms until the heel of his shoe can be inserted below the heel guard 74. Once in place, the biasing action tends to clamp theskate against the users shoe. An opening 98 is provided in side wall structure 51 which functions to engage a portion of the heel of the shoe of the wearer. Such engagement is an added aid in maintaining the skate of this invention on the foot of the wearer.

Numerous variations, within the scope of the appended claims, will occur to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, while a particular stylized skate was shown and described, other designs for the skate structure may be utilized. Likewise, the design of the wheel 86 may be varied. While I prefer the use of two distinct size wheels in order to compliment the design of the I skate illustrated in FIG. 1, other embodiments of my invention may utilize a single wheel size on all wheel positions. The biasing length of movement defined by stop 63 and bottom 58 may be accomplished by other stop means. For example, a similar function is obtainable when used in conjunction with the bracket 60. Materials other than plastic are adaptable to the concepts of my invention. While the preferred embodiment calls for the beam structure 53 to be carried internally of the beam structure 13, the relative position of the respective beam structures may be reversed. Such reversal of course, may require the rearrangement of other components shown and described, but their functions and purposes would not be changed. Rectangular beam structures are illustrated in the drawings. However, other shapes may be suitable. For example, cylindrical beam structures may be utilized. These variations are merely illustrative.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An adjustable length, self biasing skate, comprisa forward platform, said forward platform including a toe engaging structure attached thereto;

a first beam structure attached and depending from said forward platform;

a rearward platform, said rearward platform including a heel securing part attached thereto;

a second beam structure attached and depending from said rearward platform, said first and said second beam structures being telescopically engagable with one another;

independent sizing means slidably mounted between at least an outward and an inward position in one of said first and said second beam structures, said sizing means comprising an elongated structure having a plurality of openings in it;

latch means attached to the other of said first and said second beam structures, said latch means including a part projecting through said first and said second beam structures, said part being releasably engagable with ones of said opening plurality of said sizing means to define a plurality of discrete, longitudinal lengths for said skate, said first and said second beam structures being prevented from closing movement relative to one another by engagement of said latch means and said sizing means; and means for spring loading said sizing means for inward movement in all of said plurality of discrete lengths whenever said forward and said rearward platforms are drawn outwardly with said latch means engaged- 2. The skate of claim 1 wherein said first beam structure is integrally formed with said forward platform and said second beam structure is integrally formed with said rearward platform.

3. The skate of claim 2 wherein said means for spring loading said sizing means comprises a spring attached between said sizing means and said integral rearward platform and second beam structure combination.

4. The skate of claim 3 wherein said second beam structure is a hollow body member having a channel formed therein, and said sizing means is slidably mounted in said channel.

5. The skate of claim 4 wherein said channel has a stop formed in it, and said sizing means has a stop engaging edge for limiting movement of said sizing means along said channel at an outermost outward position. 6. An adjustable length, self biasing skate, comprising:

a first beam structure; a second beam structure telescopically mounted in said first beam structure; 7

independent sizing means slidably mounted in said second beam structure for movement between a first position inward of said second beam structure and a second position outward relative to said first position in said second beam structure, said sizing means comprising an elongated structure having a first end and a second end, said first end having a plurality of openings in it;

latch means movably mounted to said first beam structure, said latch means including a part releasably engagable with selective ones of said opening plurality of said sizing means, engagement of said latch means with said sizing means establishing a stop preventing inward movement of said first and said second beam structures; and

a spring operatively connected between said second end of said sizing means and said second beam structure, said spring biased to draw said sizing means inwardly of said second beam structure when said first and said second beam structures are drawn outwardly relative to one another with said sizing means engaged.

7. The skate of claim 6 wherein said first beam structure includes a top and a bottom, said first beam structure having a forward platform attached to it along said top and said bottom having said latching means attached thereto.

8. The skate of claim 7 wherein said second beam structure includes a top and a bottom, said second beam structure having a rearward platform attached to it along said top, said sizing means being slidably mounted along a channel formed in said second beam structure.

9. The skate of claim 8 wherein said channel of said second beam structure has a stop formed in it, and said sizing means includes an edge with a notch formed in it, said notch being engagable releasably with said stop to limit movement of said sizing means at said second position.

10. The skate of claim 9 wherein said spring is operatively connected between said second end of said sizing means and said rearward platform-second beam structure combination.

1!. The skate of claim 10 further characterized by a side wall extending upwardly from said rearward platform, said side wall having an opening in it for engaging a portion of shoe heel whenever a shoe is inserted in said skate.

12. An adjustable length, self biasing skate, comprisa forward platform including a toe engaging part attached thereto, a depending beam structure integrally formed therewith and an axle mounting extending downwardly from said platform;

a rearward platform including heel securing means attached thereto, a depending beam structure integrally formed therewith and an axle mounting extending downwardly therefrom, said rearward beam structure being telescopically engagable with said forward beam structure;

independent sizing means slidably mounted in said beam structure of said rearward platform between at least a first inward position and a second outward position relative to said last mentioned beam structure, said sizing means comprising an elongated structure having first and second ends, said first end having a plurality of openings in it;

latch means movably mounted to said beam structure of said forward platform, said latch means including a part releasably engagable with selective ones of said opening plurality of said sizing means to define a plurality of discrete longitudinal lengths for said skate, engagement of said latch means with said sizing means establishing a stop which prevents inward movement of said forward platform and said rearward platform; and

a spring operatively connected between said rearward platform and said second end of said sizing means, said spring biased to draw said sizing means inwardly of said beam structure of said rearward platform when said rearward platform and said forward platform are drawn outwardly relative to one another with said latch means engaged.

13. The skate of claim 12 wherein said heel securing means includes a side wall extending upwardly from said rearward platform, said side wall having an opening in it for engaging a portion ofa shoe heel whenever a shoe is inserted in said skate. 

1. An adjustable length, self biasing skate, comprising: a forward platform, said forward platform including a toe engaging structure attached thereto; a first beam structure attached and depending from said forward platform; a rearward platform, said rearward platform including a heel sEcuring part attached thereto; a second beam structure attached and depending from said rearward platform, said first and said second beam structures being telescopically engagable with one another; independent sizing means slidably mounted between at least an outward and an inward position in one of said first and said second beam structures, said sizing means comprising an elongated structure having a plurality of openings in it; latch means attached to the other of said first and said second beam structures, said latch means including a part projecting through said first and said second beam structures, said part being releasably engagable with ones of said opening plurality of said sizing means to define a plurality of discrete, longitudinal lengths for said skate, said first and said second beam structures being prevented from closing movement relative to one another by engagement of said latch means and said sizing means; and means for spring loading said sizing means for inward movement in all of said plurality of discrete lengths whenever said forward and said rearward platforms are drawn outwardly with said latch means engaged.
 2. The skate of claim 1 wherein said first beam structure is integrally formed with said forward platform and said second beam structure is integrally formed with said rearward platform.
 3. The skate of claim 2 wherein said means for spring loading said sizing means comprises a spring attached between said sizing means and said integral rearward platform and second beam structure combination.
 4. The skate of claim 3 wherein said second beam structure is a hollow body member having a channel formed therein, and said sizing means is slidably mounted in said channel.
 5. The skate of claim 4 wherein said channel has a stop formed in it, and said sizing means has a stop engaging edge for limiting movement of said sizing means along said channel at an outermost outward position.
 6. An adjustable length, self biasing skate, comprising: a first beam structure; a second beam structure telescopically mounted in said first beam structure; independent sizing means slidably mounted in said second beam structure for movement between a first position inward of said second beam structure and a second position outward relative to said first position in said second beam structure, said sizing means comprising an elongated structure having a first end and a second end, said first end having a plurality of openings in it; latch means movably mounted to said first beam structure, said latch means including a part releasably engagable with selective ones of said opening plurality of said sizing means, engagement of said latch means with said sizing means establishing a stop preventing inward movement of said first and said second beam structures; and a spring operatively connected between said second end of said sizing means and said second beam structure, said spring biased to draw said sizing means inwardly of said second beam structure when said first and said second beam structures are drawn outwardly relative to one another with said sizing means engaged.
 7. The skate of claim 6 wherein said first beam structure includes a top and a bottom, said first beam structure having a forward platform attached to it along said top and said bottom having said latching means attached thereto.
 8. The skate of claim 7 wherein said second beam structure includes a top and a bottom, said second beam structure having a rearward platform attached to it along said top, said sizing means being slidably mounted along a channel formed in said second beam structure.
 9. The skate of claim 8 wherein said channel of said second beam structure has a stop formed in it, and said sizing means includes an edge with a notch formed in it, said notch being engagable releasably with said stop to limit movement of said sizing means at said second position.
 10. The skate of claim 9 wherein said spRing is operatively connected between said second end of said sizing means and said rearward platform-second beam structure combination.
 11. The skate of claim 10 further characterized by a side wall extending upwardly from said rearward platform, said side wall having an opening in it for engaging a portion of shoe heel whenever a shoe is inserted in said skate.
 12. An adjustable length, self biasing skate, comprising: a forward platform including a toe engaging part attached thereto, a depending beam structure integrally formed therewith and an axle mounting extending downwardly from said platform; a rearward platform including heel securing means attached thereto, a depending beam structure integrally formed therewith and an axle mounting extending downwardly therefrom, said rearward beam structure being telescopically engagable with said forward beam structure; independent sizing means slidably mounted in said beam structure of said rearward platform between at least a first inward position and a second outward position relative to said last mentioned beam structure, said sizing means comprising an elongated structure having first and second ends, said first end having a plurality of openings in it; latch means movably mounted to said beam structure of said forward platform, said latch means including a part releasably engagable with selective ones of said opening plurality of said sizing means to define a plurality of discrete longitudinal lengths for said skate, engagement of said latch means with said sizing means establishing a stop which prevents inward movement of said forward platform and said rearward platform; and a spring operatively connected between said rearward platform and said second end of said sizing means, said spring biased to draw said sizing means inwardly of said beam structure of said rearward platform when said rearward platform and said forward platform are drawn outwardly relative to one another with said latch means engaged.
 13. The skate of claim 12 wherein said heel securing means includes a side wall extending upwardly from said rearward platform, said side wall having an opening in it for engaging a portion of a shoe heel whenever a shoe is inserted in said skate. 